Official funeral for Arthur Williams Sr

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Arthur Williams Sr, is to be accorded an official funeral.

In a statement yesterday, the Office of the Prime Minister said the decision was taken by Cabinet at its meeting on Monday. The service has been scheduled for tomorrow at the University Chapel, St Andrew, starting at 10 a.m.

'Teacher' Williams, as he was affectionately known, served as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Education and member of parliament for South Manchester, where he represented the Jamaica Labour Party.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in paying tribute to the former parliamentarian, described Williams' passing as an end to the physical presence of a man who gave his all on behalf of Jamaica, adding that his contribution would not be forgotten, especially by those whose lives he helped to inspire.

She said Williams came from a generation of Jamaicans who believed in taking the vocation of teaching beyond the confines of the classroom.

"It was that commitment to service that led him to spend most of his active adult life giving of his knowledge, skills and energy in the political vineyard on behalf of the people of Manchester," she said.